Global Hunger Index Current Affairs - 2019

The 2018 global hunger index is prepared by Welthungerhilfe together with Concern Worldwide. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has stepped aside from its involvement in the report.

Calculation of the Index:

The Index ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst.

The world has made gradual, long-term progress in reducing overall hunger, but this progress has been “uneven”. Areas of severe hunger and undernutrition stubbornly persist reflecting human misery for millions.

Around 124 million people suffer acute hunger in the world which is a striking increase from 80 million two years ago.

The reality of hunger and undernutrition continues to have a massive impact on the next generation.

About 151 million children are stunted and 51 million children are wasted across the globe.

India ranked 100th position among 119 countries on Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2017 report released by Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). This year slipped by three positions as compared to 97th rank in 2016 GHI.

Global Hunger Index (GHI)

GHI is multidimensional measure that describes state of hunger situation on regional, national and global level. It is published annually by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) since 2006. It ranks countries on a 0 to 100-point scale calculated by taking into account four indicator parameters. Zero means best score (no hunger) and 100 is worst.

2017 GHI Highlights

India Related Facts: In 2017 GHI, India scored 31.4 and was placed in high end of “serious” category. India low ranking also influences South Asia’s regional score as three quarters of South Asia’s population reside in India.

More than 20% of Indian children under the age of five have lower weight in relation to their height and about 33% are too short in relation to their age. Despite India being world’s second largest food producer it has second highest under-nourished population in the world.

Africa hasworst score: The Central African Republic (CAR) has the highest GHI score and has been categorised as “extremely alarming”. It is followed by Chad, Sierra Leone, Madagascar and Zambia.